BE CHEERFUL

THE PROBLEM: Children need a merry Christmas.

OUR OPINION: Harness the Christmas spirit.

With only 10 weeks to go, Christmas Eve is just around the corner. The lists are made by Citrus kids and the shopping will begin soon. The past year and a half has been difficult for everyone, especially the kids who are struggling to understand what this new normal is for them. Today more than ever, families are facing a multitude of problems related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With money running out, prices rising and supply chains under pressure more than ever, kids need those with an extra Christmas spirit. The Citrus County Family Resource Center has been instrumental in ensuring that every Citrus child has gifts under the tree when they wake up on Christmas morning.

Among its good deeds, the resource center has been offering Christmas to children in our community for years. The center has a sleigh full of dedicated volunteer elves to make sure St. Nick goes through those who may not have Christmas at all. Each year, they count on the generosity of our good citizens to help them bring the magic of Christmas to life. Just like last year, many families are struggling to make ends meet and freebies are simply beyond their reach. The generous spirit and generosity of all are necessary so that no child is forgotten this holiday season.

The resource center is once again asking the community to help and sponsor a child for their Christmas gift program. Beyond families in need, many children benefiting from the program have suffered abuse or neglect. Teachers and school counselors will also help identify children for sponsorship through the centre’s Christmas gift program.

Donors will receive a letter describing the child so that the customer can find the right gifts to make this Christmas morning unforgettable. The center offers art supplies such as paints, paintbrushes, coloring books, drawing pads, canvases, markers, colored pencils, and craft supplies. Harry Potter, The Drawing Books, Dork Diaries, Fear Street, Goosebumps, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and Babysitters Club are popular books in demand by many children. Bicycles are also a favorite request for many children to have under the tree. A central Christmas closet also needs clothes for boys and girls of all ages and sizes.

Without the kindness of others, this program would simply not be possible. Consider organizing a toy drive at your church or business and donating them to the Christmas program. Instead of exchanging gifts at the office or at the social club party this year, consider sponsoring one or more children to participate in the program as a team. For a family with the means, this is a great way to teach your kids to give back to others and to sponsor a child as a family this holiday season. There is no better gift to give than your own generosity and caring for those around you in need.